GM to Build Midsize Version of Chevy Avalanche for GMC

Bloomberg News reported that General Motors Corp. plans to build a midsize version of its hybrid Chevrolet Avalanche sport-utility vehicle and pickup under the GMC brand in an effort to lure buyers of both kinds of trucks. General Motors said it will introduce the hybrid sport-utility and pickup "in a couple of years." The company's first sport-utility and pickup hybrid, the Avalanche, went on sale last month and features a movable mid-gate that lets the rear passenger area convert to a pickup bed. A Cadillac version will go on sale this year. The automaker is introducing trucks and sport-utilities with new features in an effort to attract customers as competition increases from Asia-based automakers.